by What is Interventional Pain Management?
Interventional management refers to minimally invasive procedures used to diagnose and treat acute and chronic pain conditions. These procedures aim to help patients manage their pain without major surgery. Some common types of interventional pain procedures include nerve blocks, epidurals, facet joint injections and vertebroplasty.
Nerve Blocks
One of the most commonly used procedures is nerve blocks. In this, an Interventional Pain Management is injected near targeted nerves to provide temporary pain relief. There are several types of nerve blocks used to treat different types of pain:
– Facet joint nerve blocks: These target nerves in the facet joints of the spine to help diagnose and treat back and neck pain.
– Epidural nerve blocks: An epidural injection delivers medication into the epidural space of the spinal canal to treat back and leg pain.
– Paravertebral nerve blocks: Injections are given near the spinal nerves exiting the vertebrae to treat rib fractures and other chest and abdominal pains.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections involve placing a corticosteroid medication directly into the epidural space of the spine. Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and associated pain. Epidurals are commonly used to treat lumbar and cervical radicular pain (pain radiating down an arm or leg).
Under fluoroscopic or CT guidance, a needle is inserted into the epidural space. Once accurate placement is confirmed, anti-inflammatory medication such as corticosteroid is injected. Epidurals provide targeted treatment while avoiding risks of opioid medications.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Another minimally invasive option is radiofrequency ablation (RFA). During RFA, an electrode is placed near targeted nerves or facet joints under imaging guidance. Then, radiofrequency energy is delivered to disrupt painful nerve pathways.
This technique is used to treat chronic back, neck, knee and shoulder pain. RFA can potentially provide longer-lasting pain relief than injections alone by modifying nerve function. The treatment usually takes 30-60 minutes and most patients go home the same day.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
For certain types of chronic pain that don’t respond well to other therapies, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may be considered. An implantable neurostimulator device is placed under the skin to deliver mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord.
During the procedure, Interventional Pain Management temporary electrodes are first inserted through needles to test pain relief. If successful, permanent thin wires are then placed during a minor outpatient surgery. The implanted battery pack sends continuous signals to mask pain signals traveling to the brain. SCS is commonly used for failed back surgery syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome.
Facet Joint Injections and Radiofrequency Neurotomy
Degenerated facet joints in the spine are a source of chronic back pain for some individuals. Facet joint injections target these joints with local anesthetic with or without steroid to diagnose and treat pain.
If injections provide temporary relief, radiofrequency neurotomy may then be performed. Similar to RFA, a probe is placed near targeted medial branches of the dorsal ramus nerve that innervates the facet joints. Radiofrequency energy is used to disrupt the nerve and provide more lasting relief from facet joint pain.
Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty
Spinal fractures from osteoporosis or cancer can cause severe back pain. Minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are used to treat these painful compression fractures.
In vertebroplasty, bone cement such as polymethylmethacrylate is injected into the fractured vertebral body under imaging guidance to stabilize the bone. Kyphoplasty inserts an inflatable balloon first to restore vertebral height before cement injection. Both procedures provide prompt relief from pain and restore mobility.
Managing Pain Through Minimally Invasive Means
Interventional pain management utilizes minimally invasive techniques to deliver targeted treatment for different types of acute and chronic pain conditions. Procedures like nerve blocks, injections and neuroablative treatments focus on modifying pain signaling and inflammation.
This allows many pain patients to improve functionality and quality of life without major surgery or long-term pain medications. When more conservative therapies have failed, interventional treatments play an important role in comprehensive pain care by managing pain in a minimally disruptive manner.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
